FORT PIERCE - The Lakewood Park Branch Library will host the monthly meeting of The Garden Gathering on Monday, Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m., featuring Violet Krochmalny, certified Master Gardener and 15-year South Florida landscape business owner.

The title of her talk is: "Proper Pruning of Palms and Trees." Pruning is important, but improper trimming of palms and trees can make them prone to windstorm damage and can, in fact, shorten their life.

Topics include:

§ How palms and trees differ in their growth and pruning needs

§ The "palm hurricane cut" - asking for disaster

§ Topping (hatracking) of trees

§ When and how to prune

A group of people who enjoy learning about Florida gardening, The Garden Gathering is always looking for new members. This program is free and open to the public.

The Lakewood Park Branch of the St. Lucie County Library System is located at 7605 Santa Barbara Drive in northern St. Lucie County. For more information visit www.st-lucie.lib.fl.us or call Carol Shroyer at (772) 462-6870.

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